John McDonnell - fee paying scholar to Marxist

Just watching the debate tonight and it crossed my mind that, if there's anyone who's pretending to be something that he isn't, it's Farage. Thought it when he coughed and I said to myself 'smokers cough' and thought of all those pictures of him in pubs with a pint of beer being a 'man of the people'....It also dawned on me that, if McDonnell is from Liverpool no one from there will have read that Sun article anyway because they have more sense than to read the Sun there....

The school system, especially at secondary level, is still a lottery. It really does depend where you live and what kind of state schools are available and how the admissions system works. Ideally, all comprehensives would provide a good standard of education to all children. For all sorts of reasons, some of them don't, but to say grammar schools and private schools are the answer is, quite frankly, nonsense. They might provide a quick fix for a handful of children, but not the majority. Some private schools are very good, but others are a scam and waste of money. In my opinion, parents who send their children to such schools, when there are perfectly good state alternatives, are well-meaning but misguided. I've tutored pupils from two of the most prestigious public schools in the country. Both were very unhappy and both achieved results at GCSE worse than my own children, who went to a comprehensive.

I agree with the post too. I don't have a problem with people choosing to spend money on education (or health or anything else), but not if it means the political will isn't there to improve services for the rest.

PS. The Tories keep saying they're putting huge amounts into schools, but it's smoke and mirrors. Headteachers have estimated that 80% will lose funding next year, when adjusted for inflation. The only schools likely to benefit are those in the leafy shires - I wonder why that is!

quizqueen if you don't understand what a lottery system the grammar schools were and how some children never recovered from the experience of failing there's nothing I can say to you. It doesn't have to be a case of some children succeeding and others failing, education can and should serve all children.

well, there you go- have a lovely day.

As for that green monster- honestly? If only you knew ...

jura2. We are different in our political views, however I totally agree with your post of 13.39.

Are only the working class allowed to be socialist? Since when ? Are only posh upper class allowed to be Tories? If someone went to a bog standard comp and joined the Tories would that be hypocritical? Betraying their class? There is so much rubbish here it’s unbelievable. As for anyone disagreeing with the OP being labelled a “loony” I think unpleasant and anachronistic spring to mind.

just depends how you do it - of course it is normal to try and 'better' your own conditions of living, education, health-

but there are limits - just as with freedom it comes with responsibility. If you do so - but keep fighting to ensure that all have decent living conditions, fit for humans in a civilised society, and decent education and health care ... then I think it is perfectly fine.

If you do so, and then turn round and say 'ah I did it so s*d the rest, I don't care' then ... NOT.

I can never understand why those who are against private education are also not against owning private property. It always smacks of being a socialist, green eyed hypocrite to me.

I bet the first thing anyone, who comes into any sort of money, would do is to improve their situation by buying a nice house in a nice location. So, why shouldn't anyone who wants, what they consider, a better education for their children, put their children in private education, if they can afford it. I was a council house kid from a working class family who passed to go to the local grammar school but that avenue to improve yourself has been taken away now in most areas.

The whole population is not forced to live in council provided accommodation so why should every child be forced to go to state provided comprehensive schools.

I think he started a chain of burger bars MaizieD

trisher wasn't it a Labour politician who told us that we are all middle class now?

No arguing about class any more!

Oh, no, EV Svengali was clever.

No one has ever said socialism was exclusive to the working class.

And I don't think that anyone has ever said that working class socialists have to positively refrain from aspiring to be educated and have well paid jobs?

BJ is the Svengali of politics.

No examples of 'mudslinging' though Boosgran

Oh I see Mazie I got his name wrong. It’s McDonnell. Sorry about that. Yes, McDonald does have a farm. Haha funny . ?

So Boosgran his dad was a bus driver isn't that 'working class' enough?
Arguably having seen first hand the absolute inequalities in society even when he grew up his beliefs are based on knowledge and awareness. And there are plenty of upper class socialists. No one has ever said socialism was exclusive to the working class.

They end up with so much mud slinging nastiness from the looney lefties

Care to provide us with some examples, Boosgran?

I thought the mud that was being slung was the accusation of hypocrisy which was the purpose of this thread.

And 'loonie lefities' doesn't sound particularly respectful and reasoned. If we referred to some posters as 'revolting righties' that would be absolutely fine and not mudslinging at all, then?

Who is 'McDonald'? Does he have a farm?

Astounded that you should take this nonsense as validation, Ug

Loonie lefties? Isn’t that mudslinging, Urmstongran?

Thanks Boosgran for the validation.
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I just love it that I left it and it’s still running (without me) this lunchtime! As you can see I’ve only just posted.

You said it was a ‘dead cat’ straightaway WWmk2 but obviously others have thought differently about the topic.

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That’s the trouble with these political threads Urmstongran. They end up with so much mud slinging nastiness from the looney lefties on here that I just don’t bother to get involved, but I completely agree with you regarding McDonald- he’s such a hypocrite. Working class? Don’t make me laugh.

oh dear urm, just keep digging your nonsense mud ...

If your dad is a bus driver aren't you working class? Does the school you go to change your class?
Really the things some people will resort to to try and condemn someone. Aren't you allowed to have socialist beliefs if you are wel educated? It does occur to me that anyone who has dooubted McDonnell's abilities in the past must now realise he is a very clever guy with an excellent grasp of economics.

Still flogging this I see ug????

No growstuff it wasn’t a spiteful thread.

So many people target Boris for his lies. It seemed fair to call JMcD out on this is all.

And as I said, I really thought he was working class (unlike Corbyn)! I knew he wasn’t.
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